Hampton Roads Cares

FAQ

Who is behind Hampton Roads Cares?

This online community was initially launched as a collaboration between Concursive Corporation, an Intel Capital portfolio company based in Norfolk, and WVEC-TV, the ABC Television affiliate serving Hampton Roads. Very quickly others came into the fold including the Southeastern Virginia Red Cross and United Way agencies including Hope House, Prime Plus, and the Judeo Christian Outreach Center.

How can other charities become involved?

If you're a Hampton Roads based, federally designated not-for-profit we welcome your involvement. Simply go to the Organization module and "Add" yourself. Put in enough information so we can confirm that you're legitimate (e.g. website address, phone number, contact person) and we'll approve your listing. This can take as little as a few hours or may take a day or so

Is Hampton Roads Cares looking for volunteers?

Of course! Not only is Hampton Roads Cares looking for eager people to help out, but so are the non-profits our online community supports. So keep your eyes open for the "Volunteer" area that we will be turning on to see what opportunities are available.

How can we as a business participate?

There are two ways businesses can become involved in Hampton Roads Cares: as Underwriters or as Patrons. We're only accepting 12-15 Underwriters but have unlimited capacity to handle any business that wants to be a Patron. Both Patrons and Underwriters get their own listing in the community, the ability to easily create a "matching" program for employees, and the ability to run and promote their own "events" within the community. Underwriters get additional promotional visibility and the ability to run a month-long event that's constructed in collaboration with HamptonRoadsCares.org and WVEC-TV. CONTACT US if you're interested in more information. Participation shows the community, your customers and your employees that you take an active role in making our region better.

How is the day's Good Deed picked?

From time-to-time you will see a Good Deed on this site. In general our web masters choose highly "liked" ideas from the Good Deeds area. At times, however there may be critical things that need to be done immediately; in these situations we reserve the right to pull them to the front of the line. We also consider inputs from United Way agencies, schools, churches, and other stakeholders. Please contact us to have your Good Deed added.

Are donations tax deductible?

Eventually they will be but at launch of the community (May, 2011) they are not. We are setting up a not-for-profit entity into which goes the money you put into your "wallet". When that is completed and the government approves our status, the money you contribute into your "wallet" will be tax deductible. We are told this process will take 6-9 months to complete.

What % of donations go to charities?

We pass through all of the money individuals put into their wallets minus credit card fees charged by banks. Initially this means roughly 95% gets to the charity. When we achieve non-profit status, this level should approach 99% (we're told we'll get an additional break from the credit card processing company). In both cases, such levels put us at the very top end of the range of efficient ways to give... AND your donations stay local and go where you want them to.

Where is the money in my "wallet" stored?

We store all of the electronic funds for Hampton Roads Cares in Monarch Bank, one of our region's leading, local banks.

How can Hampton Roads Cares be so efficient?

We achieve these efficiencies through three means. First, we utilize technology extensively. Second, our Underwriters cover the overhead that run the back end processes. And finally, we rely on the help and good graces of our volunteers.